Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta congratulated Manchester City for retaining the title – and then apologised for failing to get the Gunners over the line.
The Londoners’ slim hopes of preventing Pep Guardiola’s men from claiming a third successive Premier League crown were destroyed by relegation battlers Nottingham Forest.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s first-half strike secured the victory that keeps Steve Cooper’s men in the top-flight – and plunged Arteta into hell. The emotional Spaniard said: “Congratulations to Manchester City, they are the champions and they deserve to be champions for what they have done over 38 games. But this is a very sad day for us because we thought we could go all the way and fell short.
“I apologise. We believed we could do it but we haven’t and that is my responsibility. I am so sad because we wanted to find a way to do it. We fell short and I apologise because it’s my job and it’s my responsibility and I have to analyse this.”
Arsenal have hit the wall after a run which has seen them take just nine points from eight games. They had 82 per cent possession at the City Ground but Arteta admitted: “We could have played for three more hours and not scored.
“We didn’t play well today. We have to play much better. When you get to April and May, you need 24 fit players who are ready to go.
“We don’t have that and it is my job to give the club what it deserves. To win this league you have to be perfect because City don’t give you any margins for error. But we know that – and it’s my responsibility to find a way of getting to their level.”
Forest are safe after Everton ’s draw at Wolves and a run of form which has seen them collect 10 points from five games. Forest boss Cooper said: “It’s been an unbelievable season where nobody has ever given up. I am really proud.
“It is dealing with the hard times that define you. You’ve got to suffer to get where you want to be. I am just so pleased to get over the line. We can celebrate - and I can now get some sleep.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale insisted that they would be able to see the positive side of their season, once the disappointment had worn off. “It’s hard. All the hard work over months has obviously come to an end today and that’s really difficult,” he told Sky Sports. “We just couldn’t find a way through today. Credit to Forest – they know what they needed to do.
“We know that [we’ve pushed City hard]. Deep down we know what we’ve achieved. I think when the dust settles we will be proud.
“But it’s just the way it’s happened, it’s a similar taste to last year as well, so it’s another learning curve for us. But, yeah, when we look back it will be a season to be proud of for Arsenal Football Club and a season to be proud of as players.”
